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# ferment

verb (ferment, ferments, fermented, fermenting); noun (ferment, uncountable)

«ferment» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science) To ferment means to change chemically because of yeast or bacteria, which break down sugar and make gas, acid or alcohol. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#m1)
2. To ferment trouble means to cause it or stir it up (more often «foment»). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#m2)
3. (noun, formal) A ferment is a state of excitement, unrest or trouble in a group of people. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science and cooking lessons pupils learn that bread rises because yeast ferments sugar and makes carbon dioxide; yoghurt, cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi and soy sauce are made by fermentation. In history and formal writing, «in a ferment» means people are restless. Phrases: «leave to ferment», «in a state of ferment».

### Examples

- Yeast makes the dough ferment and rise. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x1)
- Milk ferments into yoghurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x2)
- Cabbage is fermented to make sauerkraut. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x3)
- The grape juice fermented in big barrels. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x4)
- We watched a balloon fill with gas from fermenting sugar water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x5)
- The city was in a ferment after the news. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x6)
- Kimchi is fermented cabbage from Korea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: fermented. Noun: fermentation. Stress: verb «fer-MENT», noun «FER-ment». Trap: «ferment» is often confused with «foment» (to stir up trouble); «foment» is the correct word for that sense. Fermentation needs living microbes; it is not the same as rotting, though both use microbes.

## In Jewish tradition

In Psalm 73 it means a heart that is stirred up and bitter, troubled by seeing the wicked do well.

**Interpretation.** The psalm is read as a struggle with the old question of why the wicked prosper. The speaker finds peace only when he enters God's sanctuary and understands their end.

### Examples

- For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins. (Writings PSA.73.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/ferment/#x1)

### Note

Regular verb: fermented. Noun: fermentation. Stress: verb «fer-MENT», noun «FER-ment». Trap: «ferment» is often confused with «foment» (to stir up trouble); «foment» is the correct word for that sense. Fermentation needs living microbes; it is not the same as rotting, though both use microbes.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «ferment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/ferment/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ferment» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/ferment.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «ferment» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/ferment/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«ferment» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/ferment.html) on Mova free.